What is network security?

Network security encompasses all the steps taken to protect the integrity of a
computer network and the data within it. Network security is important because it
keeps sensitive data safe from cyber attacks and ensures the network is usable and
trustworthy. Successful network security strategies employ multiple security solutions
to protect users and organizations from malware and cyber attacks, like distributed
denial of service.

A network is composed of interconnected devices, such as computers, servers and

wireless networks. Many of these devices are susceptible to potential attackers.
Network security involves the use of a variety of software and hardware tools on a
network or as software as a service. Security becomes more important as networks
grow more complex and enterprises rely more on their networks and data to conduct
business. Security methods must evolve as threat actors create new attack methods on
these increasingly complex networks.

No matter the specific method or enterprise security strategy, security is

usually framed as everyone's responsibility because every user on the network
represents a possible vulnerability in that network.
 A
firewall is a key network security device used to protect a corporate network.

Why is network security important?

Network security is critical because it prevents cybercriminals from gaining access to
valuable data and sensitive information. When hackers get hold of such data, they can
cause a variety of problems, including identity theft, stolen assets and reputational
harm.

The following are four of the most important reasons why protecting networks and the
data they hold is important:

1. Operational risks. An organization without adequate network security risks

disruption of its operations. Businesses and personal networks depend on devices
and software that cannot operate effectively when compromised by viruses,
malware and cyber attacks. Business also rely on networks for most internal and
external communication.
2. Financial risks for compromised personally identifiable information
(PII). Data breaches can be expensive for both individuals and businesses.
Organizations that handle PII, such as Social Security numbers and passwords, are
required to keep it safe. Exposure can cost the victims money in fines, restitution
and repairing compromised devices. Data breaches and exposure also can ruin a
company's reputation and expose it to lawsuits. IBM's "Cost of a Data Breach
2022 Report," which was conducted by Ponemon Institute, reported the average
cost of a data breach rose to $4.35 million in 2022 from $4.24 million in 2021.

3. Financial risk for compromised intellectual property. Organizations can also

have their own intellectual property stolen, which is costly. The loss of a
company's ideas, inventions and products can lead to loss of business and
competitive advantages.

4. Regulatory issues. Many governments require businesses to comply with data

security regulations that cover aspects of network security. For example, medical
organizations in the United States are required to comply with the regulations of
the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and
organizations in the European Union that deal with citizens' data must follow the
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Violations of these regulations can
lead to fines, bans and possible jail time.

Network security is so important that several organizations focus on instituting and

sharing strategies on how to adapt to modern threats. Mitre ATT&CK, the National
Institute of Standards and Technology and the Center for Internet Security provide
free, nonproprietary security frameworks and knowledge bases to share cyber threat
information and help businesses and other organizations evaluate their network
security methods.
How does network security work?
Network security is enforced using a combination of hardware and software tools. The
primary goal of network security is to prevent unauthorized access into or between
parts of a network.

A security official or team determines strategies and policies that keep an

organization's network safe and help it comply with security standards and
regulations. Everyone on the network must abide by these security policies. Every
point in the network where an authorized user could access data is also a point where
data can be compromised, either by a malicious actor or through user carelessness or
mistakes.
 Strong
network security involves nine core elements.

Types of network security software and tools

The choice of security policies and tools varies from network to network and changes
over time. Strong security often involves using multiple approaches, known as layered
security or defense in depth to give organizations as many security controls as
possible. The following are some commonly used types of network security tools and
software:
 Access control. This method limits access to network applications and systems to
a specific group of users and devices. These systems deny access to users and
devices not already sanctioned.

 Antivirus and antimalware. Antivirus and antimalware are software designed to

detect, remove or prevent viruses and malware, such as Trojan horses, ransomware
and spyware, from infecting a computer and, consequently, a network.

 Application security. It is crucial to monitor and protect applications that

organizations use to run their businesses. This is true whether an organization
creates that application or buys it, as modern malware threats often target Open
Source code and containers that organizations use to build software and
applications.

 Behavioral analytics. This method analyzes network behavior and automatically

detects and alerts organizations to abnormal activities.

 Cloud security. Cloud providers often sell add-on cloud security tools that
provide security capabilities in their cloud. The cloud provider manages the
security of its overall infrastructure and offers tools for the user to protect their
instances within the overall cloud infrastructure. For example, Amazon Web
Services provides security groups that control the incoming and outgoing traffic
associated with an application or resource.

 Data loss prevention (DLP). These tools monitor data in use, in motion and at
rest to detect and prevent data breaches. DLP often classifies the most important
and at-risk data and trains employees in best practices to protect that data. For
instance, not sending important files as attachments in emails is one such best
practice.

 Email security. Email is one of the most vulnerable points in a network.

Employees become victims of phishing and malware attacks when they click on
 email links that secretly download malicious software. Email is also an insecure
method of sending files and sensitive data that employees unwittingly engage in.

 Firewall. Software or firmware inspects incoming and outgoing traffic to prevent

unauthorized network access. Firewalls are some of the most widely used security
tools. They are positioned in multiple areas on the network. Next-generation
firewalls offer increased protection against application-layer attacks and advanced
malware defense with inline deep packet inspection.

 Intrusion detection system (IDS). An IDS detects unauthorized access attempts

and flags them as potentially dangerous but does not remove them. An IDS and an
intrusion prevention system (IPS) are often used in combination with a firewall.

 Intrusion prevention system. IPSes are designed to prevent intrusions by

detecting and blocking unauthorized attempts to access a network.

 Mobile device security. Business applications for smartphones and other mobile
devices have made these devices an important part of network security.
Monitoring and controlling which mobile devices access a network and what they
do once connected to a network is crucial for modern network security.

 Multifactor authentication (MFA). MFA is an easy-to-employ and increasingly

popular network security solution that requires two or more factors to verify a
user's identity. An example of this is Google Authenticator, an app which
generates unique security codes that a user enters alongside their password to
verify their identity.

 Network segmentation. Organizations with large networks and network traffic

often use network segmentation to break a network into smaller, easier-to-manage
segments. This approach gives organizations more control of and increased
visibility into traffic flow. Industrial network security is a subset of network
segmentation, providing increased visibility into industrial control systems
 (ICSes). ICSes are more at risk to cyber threats because of increased integration
with the cloud.

 Sandboxing. This approach lets organizations scan for malware by opening a file
in an isolated environment before granting it access to the network. Once opened
in a sandbox, an organization can observe whether the file acts in a malicious way
or shows any indications of malware.